The Punjab government has chalked out a comprehensive programme to provide over Rs 650 crore of paddy bonus to more than 10 million beneficiary farmers directly in their accounts by online banking system.
Disclosing this on Friday, food & civil supplies minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon said he had observed that previously, there was an inordinate delay in making payment of bonus and sometimes dispute also occurred with cases remaining pending for years together.
To improve this system and to make immediate payment, it has been decided to make bonus payment direct to the farmers? account by an online banking system, he added.
He said he had called a meeting of general managers of all leading banks of the state and advised them to open no-frill, zero-balance accounts free of cost for farmers.
Moreover, banks have also agreed to not to impose any condition of minimum balance in the accounts of farmers.
The lead banks of various districts of Punjab have taken the responsibility for extending full cooperation for making bonus payment to the farmer?s bank accounts.
The district food & supplies controllers would render necessary help to the banks.
Kairon said food supplies department would compile a data bank of account numbers of more than 10 million farmers and directly credit bonus of Rs 50 per quintal paddy in the bank accounts of farmers.
He said union food ministry had already approved the new pro-farmer, hassle-free and high-tech payment systems evolved by the state food & civil supplies department.
FRUITS OF LABOUR
•The state government will provide paddy bonus worth Rs 650 crore to more than 10 million beneficiary farmers
•The bonus payment will be made directly to the farmers? account by an online banking system
•The food supplies department will compile a data bank of account numbers of farmers and directly credit bonus of Rs 50 per quintal paddy in their accounts